I write critical thematic reviews for trek central, have a look, my last one was "Star Trek’s Rituals of Togetherness and Change"

They seem kinda like lost children raised by demons... Kinda sad.

You’ve never steered me wrong! Just purchased on Amazon

How are they sadistic? Janaata are predatory, true. Their don't follow human morals. But then again, they are pretty peaceful and benevolent even by human standards. No wars, for example. And they actually DON'T eat Runa a lot either. Only sometimes and mostly for criminals. Supaari is one of the more sympathetic characters of both books. And they actually don't enjoy causing suffering either. They slaughtered emergent Runa agricultural society because it was throwing whole ecology off balance and threatening their well being. They openly stated to be very sad about having to do this.

@@user-sz8zi6gs7zI haven’t read the book only this recap, but the removal of muscles and torture of the main character is obviously sadistic. Was that character meant to just be an anomaly or something?

Refuses to elaborate ...

Nothing personal, kid

Tbh this was a nothing burger, for us non abrahamic god believers this is obvious

Idea that you have sanctioned by god to do good things against the others will because “you know better” is a thing of western arrogance

It's not even existential dread. I wasn't worried about spoilers because I'm wasn't going to read the book. But I expected the twist to be more drastic. Losing faith in god and a non consentual butt penetration are both things that I have experienced. Horrible in the moment, but scars exist to show that you have healed. Also, why can't someone say the word that means forced sex acts? It's a word that describes a thing that happens and people should be allowed to use the word to describe the horrifying context of the action.

Damn. The ultimate cosmic trolling.

Kind of like the samurais writing poetry to the sounds of men being boiled alive in The Shogun. You might have a point there, that little incongruency got stuck deep inside my bones, to the point that I don't really remember much else from the book.

I kind of want to read this book now, but only if it ends with humanity destroying the cannibalistic grape aliens.

@@WeirdTale Literal troll songs. The lyrics were probably something like "Boil 'em, mash 'em up, stick 'em in a stew".

​@@Dark_Jaguar Like potatoes

Great review!

I get that reference

I was getting worried 😅

Yea me too

YES!!! So glad to have Quinn back! And I know I’m late to the party but… Congrats to you and yours!!!!🎉🎉❤😅

I read this book a long time ago. The best part is when the crew lands on the alien planet. Very cool. Then it's all downhill from there. 😢

Woop woop😊

Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it. If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.

Excellently well said

I struggle with speaker for the dead the first time I read it and did not really like it.. Tried it again 500ish books later and really enjoyed it

@@carlknibbs2849 Card's books are like wine - get better with time :-)

I really loved Speaker. IMHO it's a better book than Ender's Game. The alien was even more alien than the hive mind.

I know a lot of people apparently didn't like it, but I loved it.

Yeah, thought this too, the disembowelment ritual and the missionary priests

I just read it last week and I've been haunted since. It's a masterful work of science fiction and exploring faith.

Did you read the sequel? It reveals why Emilio was abused, and that makes it so much worse.

​@@MooseHomans and now I cautiously hope Quinn will cover that in a video to come

Would you recommend reading it?

Its pacing is different and a few plot contrivances that don't feel as natural and inevitable as the first book, but if you want to know the true fates of the protagonists and the aliens, reading it is a no-brainer, as we used to say.

Same here, last night

Me too 👽

Me as well!

Absolutely the same, haha.

Thanks for poking them. Clearly they noticed.

I can only imagine the looks I'd get if I read like that in mass! 😂

Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it. If you've read this far, my over a 1.100 words comment, I appreciate it. If you have something to add or analyze feel free to do so, however spare yourself typing simply "You're antisemitic" because I think I make it quite clear in my comment. Yes I am, and no I won't apologize for it. And I'm the biggest supporter of Israel's state, as long as they bring all of theirs there, and stop filling my country (or any other for that matter) and their banks.

Yeah, I kind of want to read the book now just to figure out how total extermination isn't the response of humanity at the end of the book.

I understand what they meant about Xenos now. EXTERMINATUS.

I was looking for the 40k comment and am happy I found it

@@santoineallenhhu7874 I'm surprised that there are not more of them, guess killing TTS really dissolutioned the part of the fandom that liked the animations.

The quality of narration is the main difference between successful and mediocre youtubers, in my opinion.

I've been disappointed before by listening to his narration and then getting a badly compressed audible version from 2008.

Naw, he's always been an amazing orator. Watch his early stuff, he's gotten better but dudes always been chill.

@@stanislavstoimenov1729Yep agreed. Quality of voice and video production

Why?

He is a snowflake ​@@metatronblack

An understandable reaction. I asked the interwebs for recommendations as I hadn't read any science fiction. I loved the genre in film and TV but I didn't read it because I found the suspension of disbelief a stretch too far in many of the works I'd considered. This was the book that was overwhelmingly recommended. As a former Catholic, that angle also made it interesting. But I definitely found it challenging to read. And while I don't generally remember my dreams, I would be fair to say this book "haunted" my thoughts for a while.

​@@metatronblackbuttsecks

​@@IllidanSturmgrimmDeusVultYou seem to be more upset about his opinion than he is about the book. Is everything okay at home, kid?

Same, missed opportunity

The Morlocks and Eloi part of the story was a warning against comfort and complacency if I'd ever heard one. I haven't watched the entire Sparrow video but I assume it is about a bloody harvest by an alien species. Mother of all conspiracies...

​@@unitynofear7758and morlocks are workers and eloi bucolic aristoracts

@@unitynofear7758 Well I won't spoil the rest of the video for you, but when it comes to Eloi, the book ones, compared to the movies, were much more childlike/helpless/naive and relying on the infrastructure and resources provided by their... shepherds, for the lack of a better word. In the movies, especially the 2002 one (where the only good thing about it was the score by Klaus Badelt), Eloi were instead depicted as totally self-reliant "good guys" (and yet somehow still victims of the blood-thirsty "bad guys"), there was absolutely zero nuance about it.

Didn’t know there was a sequel…(didn’t finish watching the video btw) will have to check it out

I felt that it was overall optimistic. As dark as it got, there was meaning behind it.

​@@Dapryor well said

The book is *BLEAK*

I read it, I liked it, but I don't think I really "got" the ending. It was essentially Emelio losing in faith in God for what he'd been through, right? I'll have to reread it again, I'm sure I'd pick up on more. Now that I think about it I guess Emilio losing the ability to use his hands was a parallel to him losing his faith in God.

@@beeman4266 The ending is meant to be bitter sweet. The suffering is real, but he's trying and there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel because it appears he knows how to give a spin to is experiences.

Sandoz’s “journey” is also just so ridiculously self centered. The entire history of theodicy, the ongoing and past sufferings of millions of humans, didn’t shake his faith at all until it affected him and people he cared about personally? *Now* it’s a tragedy he can’t reconcile? Bruh

@@MistyWarden tl;dr (in case you don't want to read 1.100 words lmao, and which is I've put tl;dr at the start) The reason why Sandoz's journey seems so self centered is because that's what author is, self centered. Which is why she embraced Judaism instead of tempering her own ego, since Judaism is only monotheistic religion which would allow you to not "humble yourself". Pointless drivel. Not a single time in my life have I met a person raised in staunch Christian family, becoming Atheist and then going to Judaism, which had something actually profound to say. First of all, in vast majority of times, these individuals explored and poured time into Judaism, but haven't done so into Christianity, reflexively having disdain to it because it was "forced" onto them and they didn't "choose" it. Two races that are similar? One being slaves and food? Really my guy, we're not going to talk about goyim and its parallels? At start, while you were explaining the story, I already knew author grew up in religious background and rejected it, so becoming atheist at first was something I predicted. However, there wasn't enough deep rooted hate for the religion as is often case with such atheists, so I assumed their religious journey wasn't done. And it wasn't. This whole book is one giant disgusting convert's journey, to only monotheistic religion which through DOCTRINE wouldn't help the oppressed lower race on that planet. I see many people in comments wanting sequel in which humans go to that planet and depose grapy and torturous race, yet failing to see that author is sending the opposite message, which only a Jew would. Islam's and Christianity's ideals, regardless of subset of doctrine would staunchly insist on bringing their faith towards them. What best way to do so than to mark the superior race that eats and has hurt their own emissaries as Satan's spawn, depose them, liberate the oppressed and bring them their form of monotheism (literally doesn't matter if you're Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian, or Sunni, Shia Muslim). However, the Judaism, to which author converted, is religion of isolationism, seeped with their own troubles innately producing atheists among them. Judaism is only religion in which there's inherit "us vs them" mentality deep rooted against other humans. Sure, people will say Crusader wars and Jihads, and any proper historian will see numerous abuse of both Christianity and Islam, by their religious leaders to sow self serving violence. However, in 99% of cases, later down the line such behaviors are deemed as misguided and wrong. At the core, both of these religions deem world to be a better place if everyone are of their faith, which often sparks violent people into using it as an excuse for conquest. And likewise there are subset of both religions which never produced such violence on religious scale. Orthodox Christianity is one such subset, and I'll hide no bias towards it, since I come from that background, but there was never crusades sanctified by Orthodox Christians. In fact much the opposite, majority of spreading of Orthodox Christianity was also done similarly to these Jesuits, with priests going among the "barbarians" and often witnessing their violent tendencies on their own skin, becoming martyrs within the Church's dogma. But instead, since author grew up among non Orthodox Christians, she projected the loss of faith onto the main character, and switched to only monotheistic religion that would agree with "Prime directive". Majority of people in these comments yearn for righteous justice towards the violent race in this book, and both Christianity and Islam would allow it. If possible firstly just by converting and renouncing their vile acts, but if not, by aggression and possibly even extermination of Jana'ta in favor of oppressed Runa, who would in turn accept the new religion as saviors. I sympathize with the author, the old "If he's benevolent then he wouldn't allow X, if he's etc." you know the drill I won't spell it out, atheists have been using that line of reasoning for past 2 decades very profusely. I too often had issues with the same, growing modification of religion I was brought into, which could be deemed outright heretical. However, going towards Judaism is the only way author can keep semblance of her own righteousness by deeming her original brought up religion as wrong, which is a mistake. She should've come to terms that she's a bad apple, just how I have. Instead, she went into only monotheistic religion that borderline sanctifies abuse and mistreatment of other members of her own species, with line of reasoning that their idea of God is only one right, and that he's put all these goyim onto the planet to serve them. The only reason Judaism hasn't had a crusade or jihad is because as staunchly isolationistic, they don't have the numbers. But don't fret, they've produced just as much evil within Manhattan and their banking. It's no coincidence that they're being stereotyped as bankers, and that any aggressive antisemitic revolution involves toppling the banks. Ivan the Great (or terrible if you're from the West) marched them into frozen lake, after it becoming evident they've been kidnapping Christian street urchins to kill and put their goyim blood into their cookies as ritualistic practice. Mr. Moustache (not even sure I can type his name on YT without being shadow banned) did a similar thing with camps. Just remember first two things he did when he came to power, which were banning p*rn and not allow usury (which was historically attributed to Jews as no coincidence). Factually, this whole book is a love letter to most heinous Jewish practices, and so is "prime directive" by the way, especially the way Picard and his crew break it so often. In fact, they've broke it so often and for such petty reasons that it's become a meme, with people calling it "Prime suggestive" on the internet. I too grew up on Star Trek Next Generation, but I'm not blind to giant hypocrisy in that show. I won't go into details about it since others people already have on the internet and it's easily googlable, and my comment is long enough. Am I not to see this as justification of worst parts of Jewish beliefs, veiled (thinly if I may add) as Runa being goyim and Jana'ta being God's chosen people? That despite their mistreatment and oppression, the humanity should leave that planet alone in that delicate equilibrium because of what? God bad? I say Hell no. I too share the innate feeling many in this comment section do, that it's right for humanity to go there, put Jana'ta in their place, exterminate if needed, and elevate Runa to freedom, while simultaneously giving them word of God (be it Christian or Islamic I couldn't care less), enhancing his flock of followers. Many people in this comment section would agree with my statement against oppression, but would have cold feet when looked through lens of antisemitism. That however, can't be ignored because the author too, wrote this book through the lens of it.

@@MrMrtvozornik well, I can say for certain. Both your comment and this book is pointless drivel of religious nuts.

@@mikhaelgribkov4117 And by being anti-theist you're going to be excluded of big part of people's lives, which is religion. Doomed to either be lost in nihilistic cynical world that's anti religion or oppressed by religious fanaticism. But that's okay, you'll grow out of it by the time you're 25. Also, to even call me religious nut shows how little you understand of my argument, because you can't be a religious nut of an undefined religion, and I clearly say I wouldn't care whether it's Christian denomination or Islamic denomination were to put Jana'ta to their place. But let me help your rhetoric if you're so insistent on trying to insult me. At best you could call me militaristic fascist who cynically uses religion's dogma to instigate war, in this example sci-fi one, but with inclination that this dogma could be extrapolated and used on this Earth right now. So there it is, I've helped you out, call my comment a giant antisemitic dog whistle and go on about your day feeling how you're superior because you'd "never fall in into a trap of ideology".

I have yet to delve into the sequel as I felt that it may not do the original justice and lessen its impact on me.

your assessment is correct, as a sequel absolutely undoes l the impact of the first book. this isn't just me who thinks so, but a multitude of people who are the type that leave reviews. I didn't listen to them, and most people don't listen to me, but maybe I can save you - don't do it. leave that sequel and treasure your a lack of regret that nearly nobody has after reading it.

would you elaborate? what do you mean "RIP Hugo award"?

@@stanislavstoimenov1729 There is a story on Breitbart today entitled: China Blacklists Pro-Democracy Writers from Science Fiction Hugo Awards. The first sentence is: A massive scandal rocked the world of science fiction and fantasy writing on Thursday, as leaked emails revealed authors were quietly disqualified from winning the prestigious Hugo Awards if their work displeased the Chinese Communist Party.

@@stanislavstoimenov1729 The Hugo is taking money this year from the Chinese, who have eliminated all authors who are hostile to commie beliefs. Kinda like what Hollywood's been doing for years now to get Chinese distribution.

​@@stanislavstoimenov1729It has been revealed that the Hugo Bigwigs have been spying on the best authors and possible nominees, at the behest of the Chinese Communist government, and making decisions about whom to nominate based on who might offend the ChiComs. The award us now meaningless. Not that it was all that meaningful in recent years. Now it's garbage.

​@@stanislavstoimenov1729 I tried replying with an answer twice but, ironically, this platform automatically ******* the comment. Irony! Look up Hugo Award Controversy.

Have you ever read it's sequel? I've always meant to, but I think my subconscious gave me selective amnesia about it as a defense mechanism😅

@@earlpipe9713 Not as good or as powerful, but I found that I was so invested in the characters from the first book, that I didn't care. Do it!

Why? I mean honestly this is barely a representation of God at all. If anything this is a great depiction of evil and how evil parades about as "The Will of God".

As a long, long time fan of sci fi and player of tabletop RPGs I think I am less disturbed by the horrors and atrocities of the aliens than I am by the humans getting themselves into the situation in the first place. They did so many, many, many things wrong from the very outset. Aliens gonna be alien. The entire mission was fundamentally flawed.

I feel you,very few books have had true impacts on me,this is one of the few that did.

Get back to us when you finish the book.

Great Video and great book. This one will linger in my mind for a long while. Thanks for the recommendation!

This passage stuck with me: "A man would have to be a fool not to love someone like that,”’ Edward Behr said gently. Some priests were so hard on themselves. “Yes, a fool,’’ Sandoz agreed and added, ‘‘But I didn’t think so at the time.’’ It was a puzzling thing to say and Sandoz followed it with something just as unexpected. ‘‘Have you ever wondered about the story of Cain? He made his sacrifice in good faith. Why did God refuse it?

Regarding the "twist," it made me think of all of the amazing works of art we appreciate that were born in part to another's pain, suffering or abuse.

Yes! So much character development of the team on their journey through space.

How's the dark forest so far? I was pretty disappointed with the first book personally. It wasn't terrible, but it felt super slow and over hyped to me. Is dark forest better?

Agreed.

Like my man Emilio was crushed by them Alien Furries...😢😭

​@@ellugerdelacruz2555and then the harmless herbivorous child alien was crushed by Emilio.

​@@kennethg9277😂

It’s got more than a few weaknesses. I’m glad to see at someone else pointing that out as normally this book is so lauded.

I don't know whether to be appalled by how poorly the mission was planned and executed, or whether to find that the most accurate part of all.

@@historyeraserbutton1662 Not quite. Religion is the motivation behind the main character's decision to go on the trip in the first place, and his religious worldview is what causes him to be so naive and blind to the reality of what that society actually is. If anything, it is a metaphor for the inability of an observer to be neutral, and the inevitable projection of his/her own beliefs and values onto things strange and unknown.

@@historyeraserbutton1662 The reckless perils of acting in blind faith. Like the Prime Directive mentioned in the video, at the very least we need to painstakingly observe and study an alien society completely hands-off and make sure we understand them thoroughly before we start interacting with them. Now what a different story it would be if it was SG-1 that contacted them...

A moral lesson in what not to do when contacting aliens, "Don't just assume you know everything, otherwise you'll get analy r-worded by Alien Furries."

Those early weird fiction writers are great, I really enjoy the overlap with spiritualism from that’s age. You can pick the art and cultural movements of the time right out and it’s a really interesting mix IMO.

​@@SS_Psyops Yeah! Ive now read The King in Yellow and House on the Borderland as well. Man its a whole weird trippy corner of literature I had no idea existed. So cool!

Same

I guess the twist is supposed to be that the person opening the cell door was not who the jesuit thinks they are. Pretty weaksauce if you ask me.

Sounds like the lady didn’t like the church and had an ax to grind.

My understanding is that the twist is that the beautiful-sounding music that was originally intercepted turns out when translated to be... basically bragging-songs about the singer's violent sexual escapades and all the awesome torturing he does.

​@@thomasjoychild4962 That doesn't look that dark compared to the rest of the story tbh When I hear "darkest twist in sci-fi" I expect existential horror tbh

@@diewott1337 I mean, yeah. Incidentally I highly recommend Blindsight by Peter Watts for a first contact story that does some great existential horror.

Hope you like horror movies

You made a good purchase, and you won't regret it.

Just booked mine as well for IMAX. So excited.

There's a sequel? I might need to properly read this one to prepare myself to see if humanity can recover anything from this colossal poochscrew, or if they will make it even worse.

@@cnkclark it's called "Children of God"

don't do it. everybody warned me not to read the sequel, but I love the first one I didn't listen. now I warn everybody else, and you're not going to listen either, but you're going to be in my shoes soon. it completely undoes the impact of the first book.

Marshall Sahlins “the Original Affluent Society” is where my mind went for sure.

Monster dark romance?

theyre doing that here now😀

Let's not joke about rape, even fictional one.

I believe Quinn has a baby, and these things are time consuming as fck.

Based

Pretty much my reaction. It's made worse by the fact that it was entirely avoidable if the preachers had taken some very basic safety measures and brought along some guns/hired muscle/robot guards/literally anything to protect themselves.

​@@DarkVeghetta They remembered to praise the Lord, but forgot to pass the ammunition.

Nah I was told this book was really great. I didn't get why. But I think this actually has a lot to do with it. I've read much worse fates.

Runa and Janaata are obviously symbiotic species more then predator and prey. They co evolved and benefit each other.

Looking forward to when this makes sense 😅

Still better than Berserk.

@@Khiladi_99 blasphemy! Oh, wait, you meant it the other way. I disagree tho, this one seems more fkd up to me. For one thing, it's a guy. I've been around quite a number of women that actually fantasize about getting R'd, but haven't met one dude that doesn't swear death and destruction if that ever happened to him. ALSO, GRIFFITH WAS A BIRD, HIS CLOACA PROBABLY DIDN'T DO MUCH DAMAGE, BUT THESE CAT ALIENS FOR SURE HAVE BARBED PENISES.

@@durere Yeah, I find it hard to wrap my head around how a male can do that to another male. Just gross! I still don't think Griffith's is lesser than this cat alien. Well, to each his own.

You're essentially implying rape for women is not as bad as rape for men. That's pretty screwed up man.@@durere

Send in the furry marines

Honestly I'd rather read that book

I like to imagine this book is actually a prequel to Warhammer 40k. It would certainly help explain the number of armed priests.

@@matthewkemp594 the Catholic Church was definitely *not* what evolved into the imperium. And the Jesuit order in particular would never have come as warriors

I enjoy reading the lore of the WH40K universe and agree that this could fit in perhaps the later part of "the Age of technology" or in the early part of "Old night" (aka.Age of Strife).

A good example of why "humanity" should perish